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Hawai‘i Rep. Joy San Buenventura submitted House Bill 1617 relating to Capital Improvement Projects, seeking to appropriate more than $86 million in funds to help with the Puna District of Hawai‘i.

“Its about time that the children of Pāhoa Elementary School have their own cafeteria,” said Rep. Buenventura. “Kids should not need to cross the street and share a cafeteria with the teenagers of Pāhoa High & Intermediate. With a growing population, Pāhoa Elementary School should have its own cafeteria. Pāhoa Intermediate School needs a covered play court—separate from the older children of Pāhoa High School. The Highway 130 four-lane project has been in the books for awhile and is already in the 2019 budget. Having it in this bill is a reminder to have it funded.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2018, the bill was introduced and it passed the first reading.

The following projects were included on HB1617 that Rep. Buenventura is seeking appropriations for.

Pāhoa Elementary School:

Design and construction to renovate restrooms:

Design $10,000

Construction $50,000

Total $60,000

Design and construction for campus-wide repair and maintenance projects to reroof buildings and repaint building interiors and exteriors:

Design $105,000

Construction $440,000

Total $545,000

Also included in the elementary school appropriation, $9 million for construction for a new cafeteria and administration building.

Total funding sought for Pāhoa Elementary School: $9.605 million.

Pāhoa High and Intermediate Schools:

Plan, design, construction and equipment for a covering for the middle school play court:

Plans $100,000

Design $100,000

Construction $500,000

Equipment $300,000

Total $1 million

Plans, design, construction and equipment for a covered courtyard next to the gym:

Plans $10,000

Design $10,000

Construction $50,000

Equipment $30,000

Total $100,000

Plans, design, construction and equipment for a covered walkway from the cafeteria to the upper portables:

Plans $30,000

Design $30,000

Construction $150,000

Equipment $90,000

Total $300,000

Plans, design, construction and equipment to upgrade the track field:

Plans $1.5 million

Design $1.5 million

Construction $7.5 million

Equipment $4.5 million

Total $15 million

Total funding sought for Pāhoa High and Intermediate Schools: $16.4 million.

Highway 130 Map provided by Kea‘au-Pahoa Advisory Group (KPAG).

The bill also would appropriate $15 million for construction of a “Highway 130 Bypass Road” between Milo Street and Hawaiian Paradise Park as an alternate to Highway 130.

Also included in the initial version of the bill is $40 million for Highway 130 road improvements so construction to expand the highway from two to four lanes or alternate alignments in that corridor between Kea‘au and Pāhoa can be completed.

Total funding sought for Highway 130 projects: $55 million.

Finally, the bill includes $5 million to plan, design, construct and for land acquisition for a wastewater treatment plant:

On November 2nd, 12-year-old Pahoa Intermediate 7th Grade student Staysia Hoomana won her age group bracket (12-13) of the regional NFL Punt, Pass and Kick that was held at Pana’ewa field. This has made her eligible for the NATIONALNFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition that will be held on San Diego on December 2nd, 2013.

Staysia Hoomana of the Puna Panthers has qualified for the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick contest that will be held in California next month.

Her family, teammates and friends will be doing fundraisers to support her and her father’s effort in being able to attend.

On Wednesday, November 27th from 8am – 4pm they will be having a car wash for $5.00 at Pahoa Auto Parts across from Longs where they will also be accepting donations and distributing smoked meat that was purchased on a presale basis.

Smoked meat will be sold for 2lbs for $25.00 and folks can pre-order and pick up at the car wash. You can pre-order smoked meat through email from Christoher Hoomana at Christopherhoomana @ gmail.com or Malia Kaawaloa at rkaawaloa @ yahoo.com (no spaces).

There is an account set up for her at Bank of Hawaii. Donations can be made at any Bank of Hawaii under the “Staysia Hoomana Fund” and all the help is very appreciated.

I asked her father Christopher Hoomana, “How does it feel as a parent to have your daughter get so far in the competition” and he said “I’m ecstatic. ..very proud of her…she’s grown to be a tuff cookie…what I’m really proud of she can be an inspiration for other girls…GO GIRL POWER.!! #23 puna panthers popwarner coach Like Kaipo and coach Donald La’a. I’d like to give them a much mahalo for being great coaches that instill pride dedication and discipline to our keiki and all their time. Mahalo”

Prizes will not only go to float winners, but also to the Pahoa business with the best decorated wreath.
Mainstreet Pahoa Association has initiated an adopt-a-wreath program to try and get Pahoa businesses into the spirit to decorate for the holiday season.

Meanwhile, the annual Pahoa High and Intermediate School Ho‘olaulea will follow the Dec. 3 parade. Keiki who would like their photos with Santa will be able to do so at the Pahoa High and Intermediate School Ho‘olaulea.